I’ve been working on simplifying my skincare routine for a few years now, and not just by removing clutter on my counter. I’ve started looking at the labels and ingredients as well, and with sensitive skin like mine I’ve had to keep things pretty clean. One of the easiest, and cheapest, ways to do this is to turn to my kitchen pantry for inspiration. To mix up face masks for almost any skin need, I turned to many classic ingredients, which have been home remedies for centuries. Which one are you going to try?
Note: wherever you can, go for organic ingredients.
Moisturizing/Calming
This is inspired by a mask the ladies at How You Glow shared with me. Greek yogurt is moisturizing, cucumber is soothing and anti inflammatory, and the rose water is meant to help the skin’s pH balance and have antioxidant properties. All together, this is a super soothing, calming mask. Perfect for puffy, red skin or if you’re stressed out.
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon greek yogurt
1 tablespoon shredded cucumber
1/2 teaspoon rose water
DIRECTIONS:
Stir the ingredients together, and place on skin. Let it soak for 20 minutes, and then rinse or gently wipe away with a damp cloth. Good for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Radiance
I have pretty delicate skin, so I’m always a little weary of exfoliators. They can irritate and scratch up my skin easily. So for this gentle exfoliator, I’m using papaya pulp, filled with enzyme papain, to slough away dead skin cells. Mixed with whitening lemon juice and healing honey, it’s a surprisingly soothing way to remove dull, sad, skin.
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon papaya pulp
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon honey
DIRECTIONS:
Blend the ingredients together in a food processor, and place on skin. Let it soak for 10-20 minutes, and then rinse or gently wipe away with a damp cloth. Good for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Anti-Aging
One of my favorite skincare books is The French Beauty Solution by Mathilde Thomas, owner of the vine based skincare line, Caudelie. In the book, she discusses not only how French beauty centers on skincare, rather than make up, but on the skincare benefits she discovered while growing up on a vineyard in Bourdeaux. Grapes contain powerful antioxidants, known as polyphenols, lots of Vitamin C, which promotes collagen growth. Combined with ultra hydrating olive oil, this is a moisturizing mask that promotes anti aging properties.
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup grapes
2 teaspoons olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
Mash the ingredients together, and place on skin. Let it soak for 20 minutes, and then rinse or gently wipe away with a damp cloth. Good for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Soothing
Probiotics are known to have anti aging properties and help soothe chronic skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema when applied to the skin, so for this deeply soothing mask, I turned to coconut yogurt as the base. Oatmeal can be used to treat a lot of the same irritated skin conditions, so this mask is nourishing on every level.
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon coconut yogurt
1 tablespoon oats
DIRECTIONS:
Stir the ingredients together, and gently massage on skin. Let it soak for 20 minutes, and then rinse or gently wipe away with a damp cloth. Good for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Exfoliating
Rice flour has been used in Asian beauty treatments for centuries, mainly for it’s skin lightening properties, but I love it as an exfoliator. Rice powder is superfine, and has a drying effect that removes excess moisture from the skin. When mixed with super nourishing olive oil, it creates a balanced exfoliator and body scrub. Just make sure to be gentle when using on your face!
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 teaspoon raw, uncooked rice powder
1 tablespoon olive oil
DIRECTIONS:
Stir the ingredients together, and gently massage into skin. Let it soak for 5 minutes, and then rinse or gently wipe away with a damp cloth. Good for up to 5 days in the fridge.
